2009 Scion xB or Toyota Corolla/Matrix XRS?

You've maybe seen that I'm not a fan of the new Corolla, especially the XRS. But why not? Remember when the Scion xB was based on the Echo? Oh, well to be technical the Scions were around before the Echo (in other markets) but you get the idea.

Now that the xB has moved up to being based on the Corolla, especially the hotter XRS version, which one is honestly better for the money? And for safety lets throught he Matrix XRS in there, too.

Looking at them side by side they have the same horsepower, the Scion has a 4-speed automatic option and the XRS with a 5-speed auto. Each get roughly the same gas mileage (the Scion trails highway mpg's by 2, but equal in city), and amazingly the box isn't much slower than the Corolla XRS, either. Motor Trend tested the XRS with 5-speed auto in the May 2008 issue (the one with the Cadillac CTS Coupe on the cover) as well as introducing the Scion xB 4-speed auto into the one year test fleet. With a lack of Matrix performance stats at this time, I can only conclude it's barely slower than the slightly lighter Corolla.

Sixty mph to 0 braking test, the Corolla also wins by shorting it 3 feet over the Scion, at 123 feet vs. 126 respectively.--------------

So the Corolla still has the advantage in performance, but only just. And then there's the price. The as tested for MT's long term Scion is $21,103-- pretty steep, until the Corolla steps in at a whopping $24,234. Corolla adds things like optional leather interior and steering wheel, an extra gear, telescoping wheel (Scion only tilts), satellite radio option, as well as SatNav, and element antenna instead of mast.

Scion, though, offers more front and rear head and shoulder room, and more rear leg room than Corolla, and trails the Matrix by .5" in headroom in front. Also nearly twice the storage space than Corolla, and still more than Matrix XRS by a few cubic feet. Scion has a tighter turning circle than either Toyota, and is actually more aerodynamic than the Matrix, but only by .01 Cd. get the Matrix S with the same 2.4 liter and it's an equal .32 with the Scion. All four models share the same wheelbase, length, and the Scion and Corolla XRS share width (oddly no wheel-track comparison on Edmunds).

Everything but the Corolla and Scion performance tests are from Edmunds.com where they compared the Scion xB, Corolla XRS, and Matrix XRS side by side. For me, out of the three I'd take the Matrix for looks and the possible median of performance and practicality between the Corolla and Scion, not to mention the XRS Matrix holds independent wishbone suspension out back rather than the torsion-beam for the other two. Otherwise the Scion holds its' own for noticeably less coin.
----------When life throws you a curve, downshift and take it vigorously.

If I had to choose one, Pontiac Vibe, but I don't like the interior or the "feel" of the car, not to mention MPGs are decreasing.
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